Multipoint Cable Cam Flight Paths for Smooth 5-Axis UAV Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Typical UAV cable cam systems are limited to a maximum of ten waypoints, fail to provide smooth, continuous cinematic footage, and cannot dynamically adjust traversal speed, leading to poor and unsafe trajectory tracking, especially for complex five-axis flight and camera trajectories which require multiple human operators.
Innovation Solution
A multipoint cable cam (MPCC) system that allows for unlimited virtual waypoints, generates a spline-based flight path based on user input and GPS data, dynamically adjusts speed according to trajectory curvature, and uses vision-based navigation to maintain safe traversal speeds and smooth camera transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If typical UAV cable cam systems use a limited number of waypoints (maximum ten), then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the ability to execute complex five-axis flight and camera trajectories is limited and device versatility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the trajectory execution into two independent parts: a control device that generates the complete spline-based flight and camera paths, and a UAV that executes these paths. This segmentation allows the control device to handle unlimited waypoints and complex trajectories while the UAV maintains simple execution, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and trajectory versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary between the user and the UAV. This intermediary processes user inputs, generates unlimited virtual waypoints, creates spline-based trajectories, and transmits them to the UAV. This intermediary enables complex five-axis trajectories without requiring the UAV itself to be complex, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high versatility
2Device complexity
If typical UAV cable cam systems perform sequential waypoint-to-waypoint missions with discontinuous linear tweening, then the system complexity is reduced, but the quality of cinematic footage deteriorates due to lack of smooth continuous transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing linear tweening between waypoints with spline-based curved paths. Both the drone path and camera path use splines that provide smooth continuous transitions, eliminating discontinuities and jerky movements. This curvature-based approach maintains reasonable system complexity while dramatically improving footage quality for cinematic applications
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic speed adjustment along the spline paths. The system dynamically adapts traversal speed based on trajectory curvature and user-defined constraints, ensuring smooth continuous motion throughout the flight. This dynamic control maintains manageable system complexity while achieving the smooth footage quality required for cinematic work
3Ease of operation
If typical UAV cable cam systems use fixed maximum speed for the entire trajectory, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but trajectory tracking safety and quality deteriorate due to inability to dynamically adjust speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic speed adjustment along the trajectory by calculating maximum safe speeds at each point based on curve curvature and user-defined acceleration/velocity constraints. The control device dynamically adapts the traversal speed profile throughout the flight, maintaining ease of operation through automated calculations while significantly improving trajectory tracking safety and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the control device continuously monitors the generated trajectory and adjusts speed profiles based on curvature constraints and safety requirements. This feedback loop maintains ease of operation by automating the complex speed adjustment calculations while ensuring reliable and safe trajectory tracking throughout the flight
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes systems and methods for a multipoint cable cam (MPCC) of an aerial vehicle. A method includes operations of receiving user input associated with a predetermined path and correlating the received user input with stored global positioning satellite (GPS) data to generate one or more virtual waypoints along the predetermined path. The method includes processing the one or more virtual waypoints to generate a spline-based flight path. The method may include storing the spline-based flight path and transmitting the spline-based flight path to the aerial vehicle.